Method for Tracking a Weapon

ABSTRACT

The present method comprises the steps of providing a tracking device to be embedded in a weapon. The tracking device would be built into the weapon or an attachable grip or clip such that the user would not be able to visibly see the tracking device or easily remove it. The weapon would be functional and the device would still be capable of emitting a trackable signal. The tracking device would include a set of data regarding the weapon. The tracking device would be monitored by a reader device. The reader device or computer attached to the reader device would collect the set of data if the tracking device was within a range. If the set of data matched a set data profile a response would be triggered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method for tracking weapons by providingweapons with tracking devices. More specifically, the method provides atracking device having data which can be transferred to a reader deviceembedded in a weapon.

2. Description of the Related Art

Currently, gun manufacturers stamp a serial number on every gun made. Aserial number can be used to trace gun transactions and therefore thehistory of a gun. If a gun is stolen or used in a crime, the serialnumber is often a link to important information. However, a serialnumber merely traces the ownership and/or transactions of a particulargun. The serial number may lead to solving a crime but cannot stop acrime before it has been committed. Nor can the serial number providedata in real time regarding the location or data history regarding theweapon.

Therefore what is needed is a method for tracking and/or tracing of aweapon. The present invention achieves this objective, as well as othersthat are explained in the following description.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present method comprises the steps of providing a weapon whichincludes a tracking device. The tracking device would be built into theweapon or an attachable grip such that the user would not be able tovisibly see the tracking device or easily remove it. The weapon would befunctional and the device would still be capable of emitting a trackablesignal. The tracking device would include a set of data regarding theweapon. The tracking device could be any number of devices which permitstracking. The tracking device could be tracked and monitored bydifferent sources or reader devices. Such tracking mechanisms couldinclude wireless connections, infra red technology, metal detectors orradio frequency readers. The weapon could be monitored using thetracking device embedded in the weapon. A response may be triggered ifthe tracking device was within a particular selected range.Additionally, the tracking device could be activated and monitored by aGlobal Positioning System such that the gun could be easily located.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing a weapon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing a weapon.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, showing a weapon having a removable clip.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing the attachment of a grip in aweapon.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view, showing the present system and method.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view, showing the present system and method.

FIG. 7 is a graphical view, diagramming the steps of the present method.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 10 weapon 12 slide 14 hammer 16handle 18 grip 20 trigger 22 trigger guard 24 barrell 26 handle unit 28tracking device 30 alert system 32 reader device 34 computer 36 signal38 range 40 set of data 42 grip 44 clip 46 weapon 48 tracking device 50tracking device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a method and system for tracking aweapon, and therefore owner information and other data, by way ofproviding a tracking device embedded in a weapon, preferably in thehandle of a weapon. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the tracking device wouldbe built into the weapon 10 such that the user would not be able tovisibly see the tracking device or easily remove the handle 16 or grip18 and still have a functioning weapon.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tracking device 28 embedded within weapon 10. A setof data would be uploaded to the tracking device 28 in the manufacturingstage. In the present instance, the weapon is shown as a handgun. Thehandgun (weapon 10) generally consists of a hammer 14, slide 12, barrel24, trigger 20, trigger guard 22, handle 16 and grip 18. Those skilledin the art will recognize that the handgun closely resembles a prior artgun, with the exception of the embedded tracking device 28. Unit 26covers and secures tracking device 28 within weapon 10. However, thereader will appreciate that tracking device 28 can be embedded in anarea of weapon 10 which will provide adequate signal capability whilepreventing the owner or user from tampering with tracking device 28.Each handle 16 would maintain a serial number for safety purposes.

In an existing weapon 46, shown as a handgun in FIG. 3, the trackingdevice 48 could be integrated with the clip 44 provided to the user. Theclip 44 would include tracking device 48 which would again provideadequate signal capability without permitting removal of the trackingdevice 48 from the clip 44.

In yet another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, a tracking device 50embedded in a grip 42 could be permanently added to an existing weapon46 by replacing the existing grip with the modified grip 42. The grip 42would be permanently added to the weapon 16 with pre-loaded informationon the tracking device 50 regarding the existing weapon 46.

A simplified schematic view of the present system is shown in FIG. 5.Any known device could be used as a tracking device 28 and a readerdevice 32. The tracking system could thus utilize wireless technology,infra red technology or metal detectors, as an example. The device couldbe monitored by Global Positioning System such that the weapon could beeasily located.

Reader device 32 preferably has a defined or selected range 38 withinwhich tracking device 28 can be monitored. When weapon 10, or existingweapon 46, having tracking device (28, 48 or 50), is within range 38,signal 36, emitted from reader device 32 is able to identify weapon 10or existing weapon 46 using tracking device (28, 48 or 50). Trackingdevice (28, 48 or 50) is capable of storing and transmitting a set ofdata 40.

Set of data 40 can consist of information such as the ownership history,the type of weapon, the manufacturer name and any other pertinentinformation. The set of data 40 is preferably loaded onto the gun at themanufacturing stage. However, in an existing weapon 46, set of data 40would be added upon integration with existing weapon 46. It is alsoconceivable that tracking device (28, 48 or 50) would be capable ofcollecting data and storing data based on interactions with readerdevices 32. Thus, as an example, the tracking device (28, 48 or 50) maybe capable of collecting and storing a history of the locations that aweapon has been discharged.

The reader device 32 collects or reads the set of data 40 and uses theinformation to trigger a response. The responses could vary greatly. Forexample, on a gun range, the monitor may want to simply cause theinformation to be recorded into a stored database in a connectedcomputing device. In a gun-free area the reader device could cause animmediate alert, such as an alarm or an automatic call to the police. Inanother use, the information may be presented in a user-friendly form inresponse to a query by a person monitoring the device. Further, thealert system 30 or computer device 34, connected to reader device 32,may be set to only trigger a response when particular sets of data arepresented which fit a selected profile. Thus, if a weapon is anauthorized weapon (within a selected profile of data) a response may notbe triggered, whereas if a weapon is unauthorized in a selected area aresponse may be triggered. The term “selected profile” could be modifieddependent on the particular area. For example the selected profile maydifferentiate between governmental versus non-governmental issuedweapon, the type of weapon permitted within the area or a registeredweapon versus a non-registered weapon.

The reader will appreciate that any known action can be taken based onthe desire of the user. For example, if the selected range 38 was aschool zone, the alert system 30 may take action by sounding an alarmonly if an unauthorized weapon is within the selected range 38. Inanother example, the action or response may be to trigger an automaticlock-down of a particular building.

FIG. 6 is another schematic view illustrating the present system andmethod. Set of data 40 stored on tracking device 28 can be transferredto reader devices 32, as stated above. Reader devices 32 can use set ofdata 40 for any known purpose. As set out above, set of data 40 cancause a variety of responsive actions. Reader device 32 could also beconnected to a computing device 34. Computing device 34 could simplystore the data collected as discussed above. The computing device 34 orthe alert system 30 could also be connected to the interne for purposesof causing an automatic computerized alert to the authorities or storinginformation via an online database server.

Tracking device 28 can be any tracking device used for storing andtransferring data. For example, tracking device could be an RFID chip.RFID uses radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data from atag attached to the object. Thus, the tracking device embedded in thegun would transfer tracking and identification information (set of data40) to a reader (illustrated in FIG. 5) regarding the gun. If the RFIDchip came into the range of the reader device 32, the reader would alerta third party monitor with information regarding the gun and/or gunowner.

A diagram illustrating the present method is shown in FIG. 7. In step 1,a weapon 10 having an integrated tracking device (28, 48 or 50) isprovided (illustrated in FIG. 2). Tracking device 28 is capable ofstoring and transmitting a sot of data 40 (illustrated in FIGS. 5 and6). If tracking device (28, 48 or 50) does not enter a selected range38, no action is taken, unless an authority activates tracking device(28, 48 or 50) by some other method such as GPS tracking to determinethe location of tracking device (28, 48 or 50). If the tracking device(28, 48 or 50) enters a selected range 38 monitored by a reader device32 (illustrated in FIG. 5), the reader collects a set of data 40 storedon tracking device (28, 48 or 50). If set of data 40 matches a selecteddata profile a response is triggered. If set of data 40 does not match aselected data profile, no action is taken unless overridden by a user.

The preceding description contains significant detail regarding thenovel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed,however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providingillustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. As anexample, the reader may act by causing an immediate alert, a physicallockdown or simply cause the data to be recorded on a computing device.Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the followingclaims, rather than by the examples given.

Having described my invention, I claim:
 1. A method and system fortracking a weapon, comprising the steps of: a. providing a weapon havinga tracking device, wherein said tracking device contains a set of data;b. providing at least one reader device capable of collecting said setof data; c. providing a range monitored by said reader device; and d.wherein when said weapon having said tracking device is within saidrange, said reader device is capable of collecting said set of data fromsaid tracking device and providing a response.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said set of data is automatically transferred from said trackingdevice to said reader device when said weapon is within said range. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein said weapon is a handgun.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein said tracking device is a RFID chip.
 5. The methodof claim 1, further comprising providing a computer to collect said setof data from said reader device.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising an alert system, wherein said alert system causes an alarm tobe set off when a weapon is within said range.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein said response is a sound alarm.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein said response is storing said set of data collected from withinsaid range onto a computing device.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid tracking device can be tracked via GPS positioning.
 10. A methodand system for tracking a weapon, comprising the steps of: a. providinga tracking device to be embedded into said weapon, wherein said trackingdevice stores a set of data; b. providing a reader device capable ofcollecting said set of data; c. providing a selected range monitored bysaid reader device; d. wherein when said tracking device is within saidselected range said reader device collects said set of data; and e.providing a response when said collected set of data fits a selecteddata profile;
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said response is asounded alarm.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said response is anautomatic lockdown of an area.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein saidtracking device is capable of collecting and storing data.
 14. Themethod of claim 10, wherein said tracking device is a RFID chip.
 15. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising providing a computer to collectsaid set of data from said reader device.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein said computer triggers said response by monitoring said set ofdata and said selected data profile.
 18. A method and system fortracking a weapon, comprising the steps of: a. providing a trackingdevice to be embedded into a clip to be used in said weapon, whereinsaid tracking device stores a set of data; b. providing a reader devicecapable of collecting said set of data; c. providing a selected rangemonitored by said reader device; d. wherein when said tracking device iswithin said selected range said reader device collects said set of data;and e. providing a response when said collected set of data its aselected data profile.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said trackingdevice is a RFID chip.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein said trackingdevice is capable of collecting and storing data.